Archive · 25 Sep 2026
US Senators Urge Trump to Challenge China’s New Island-Building
Six Democratic senators asked President Trump to challenge China over new construction in the South China Sea.
They said China is turning Antelope Reef into a larger artificial island.
The senators worry that the island could contain military or surveillance facilities.
They believe it could make it easier for China to pressure nearby countries.
They also worry it could make it harder for US ships to operate in the area.
The senators said talking with China should not mean ignoring its maritime activities.
China claims much of the South China Sea, but a 2016 Hague tribunal rejected the legal basis for those broad claims.
China rejected that ruling.
The letter was sent just before Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met for high-level talks.
Six Democratic senators urged President Donald Trump to confront Chinese President Xi Jinping over renewed island-building in the South China Sea.
The lawmakers said China is conducting large-scale dredging and land reclamation at Antelope Reef.
They warned a potential Chinese outpost could pressure Taiwan, Vietnam and the Philippines and restrict US naval operations.
The senators said China’s earlier artificial islands include surveillance systems, military bases and long runways for military aircraft.
Their letter was sent before Trump and Xi began talks covering trade, artificial intelligence, security and other disputes.
- Who
- Six Democratic US senators led by Andy Kim urged President Donald Trump to address China’s activities with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
- What
- The senators warned about China’s renewed dredging and land reclamation at Antelope Reef and its potential military and surveillance uses.
- When
- The letter was sent on Wednesday, one day before Trump and Xi’s summit began in Washington.
- Where
- The activity is at Antelope Reef in the disputed South China Sea; the summit took place in Washington.
- Why
- The senators said a new Chinese outpost could threaten regional countries, support coercive maritime activity and restrict US naval operations.
- Senators involved
- Andy Kim, Tim Kaine, Michael Bennet, Brian Schatz, Tammy Duckworth and Jeff Merkley
- Location of construction
- Antelope Reef in the South China Sea
- Claim cited by senators
- China has claimed about 90 percent of the South China Sea
- Earlier Chinese facilities
- Artificial islands have been equipped with surveillance systems, military bases and long runways
- Potential impact
- The senators said a new outpost could pressure Taiwan, Vietnam and the Philippines and track US forces
- Legal ruling
- A Hague tribunal ruled in 2016 that there was no legal basis for China’s sweeping historic-rights claims within the nine-dash line
- China’s position on ruling
- Beijing rejected the 2016 tribunal ruling
- Related summit
- Trump and Xi discussed trade, artificial intelligence, security and other disputes